DIY Low Cost Benching Station

aja · 09-26-07, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navig

Obviously, I can't really talk about cost, this not being the for sale section. If anyone is interested, I can be contacted by pm. If no one claims what I make by the time I'm done, I'll put them for sale on in the classifieds.

navig

Absolutely amazing! I really like the layout! Just one thing, how viable is it to move around? Is it sturdy?

gangaskan · 09-26-07, 09:04 AM

hey navig you forgot the delta GFB's in the picture you drew

toddm27 · 09-26-07, 09:49 AM

some very nice designs

firejunior88 · 09-26-07, 10:12 AM

that is really cool.

Navig · 09-26-07, 12:03 PM

Aja - It's as sturdy as you want engineer it. As currently engineered with simple screws and 1/2in MDF, you'll probably be able to sit on it. If I were to bolt thru instead of screw, you could probably stand on it, altho the 1/2in MDF might break thru in the middle. If I were to go with 3/4in MDF, you could probably stand and jump on it all day long.

Gangaskan - they do make an appearance in the original thread to approximate the size of a radiator.

gangaskan · 09-26-07, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navig

Gangaskan - they do make an appearance in the original thread to approximate the size of a radiator.

yeah, i saw them after i said that hah! but it would be neat to see them in the paper drawing, but oh well

Navig · 10-04-07, 11:42 PM

Obviously, more details at the original thread, but here's the summary.

1. Make some plates:

2. Make some brackets:

3. Make some stations:

Diggrr · 10-05-07, 10:56 AM

Looks mahvelous.

Tell me though, what's all the extra room for? Setting meters and other various equipment up, or is that to set a dually rad/fan/pump? (even though the drawing shows air cooling being used).

Navig · 10-05-07, 06:29 PM

I originally spec'd 2 versions, one Grande and one Chiquito. The Grande was specifically designed to hold the very large Thermochill PA 120.3 radiator lengthwise (430mm in length). The Chiquito was designed for air cooling or to hold a PA 120.2 rad. However, as the project went on, there didn't seem to be any interest in the smaller version. Anyway, one quick trip to the table saw, and a Grande can be converted into a Chiquito.

navig

Diggrr · 10-06-07, 12:06 AM

Chiquito's....that's what Da Yoopers (band from Michigan's Upper Peninsula) call their ginormous mosquitoes.

Nice work though. I've been busy at the table saw for weeks, all the time wishing I had a nice router too.

Rock on!

Navig · 10-12-07, 09:01 PM

The look and feel of plain mdf isn't so appealing. So I've added some trim tape and sealed it with water based polyurethane. Bonus, scratch proof coating.

I laid an unfinished piece of scrap board on top for comparison.

.

PhysX · 10-12-07, 10:25 PM

very nice

Dapper Dan · 10-13-07, 04:09 AM

anything navig is amazing ... props

Tyranos · 10-13-07, 04:45 PM

ever think about making a quadruple decker for testing 2 systems?

Albaholic · 10-13-07, 10:48 PM

I must build one of these. I always thought about it. Awesome as always Navig

Navig · 10-16-07, 06:52 PM

Alright the Lubic prototype is complete...and sold.

The buyer wasn't interested in an exhaust fan, so the pci bracket was simplified.

navig

Navig · 11-07-07, 09:43 PM

If you haven't been by the original thread, there have been some updates.

Lvcoyote installed his system on the station:

Pics here.

Plus I started a complete walkthru on the build of my finalized design (station#3):

Starts with post#56.

navig

Navig · 11-19-07, 06:51 PM

Well, I've completed Station#2 and Station#3, completing this project.

Station#2 (prototype) is on the left. And the final version (Station#3) is on the right.

Here are some pics of Station#3:

Both are officially for sale, I'll be putting an ad in the classifieds when I get to it.

Here are my take home points from this project:

1) Its pretty easy to make a fully functional (in many ways even more functional than the commercial product) open case with cheap junk from local hardware stores.

2) Its quite inexpensive, but does require some work.

3) At this point, if I had all the raw materials on hand, I could probably build Station#4 in about 3 days of dedicated time.

4) Learned a lot about putting aluminum and MDF together. I think for my next project I'll be building another frame from aluminum and MDF based on my testing station, but will also take the time to add back a plastic shell to build a full case.

navig

ps2cho · 11-19-07, 08:12 PM

That's so awesome man!

inkfx · 11-19-07, 11:02 PM

That turned out great, Navig. Not like I didn't think it would. Makes me wonder if I have the skill to build something like that and it not turn into a heap.

09-26-07, 09:04 AM	#22
gangaskan Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Lorain, ohio	hey navig you forgot the delta GFB's in the picture you drew __________________ Main Rig: [Silverstone TJ06 painted hammer black] [Intel E6550 3.2 ghz 1.35v ] [4 gigs Gskil] [Asus P5k Premium Wifi/ap] [Soundblaster Audiguy ZS platinum] [ATI 3560 pro] [enhiem 1250 pump, Swiftech Storm, primoflex tubing, mcres micro, maze 4 gpu block][ Windows Vista x64 Ultimate sp1] HTPC: [LianLI V300B] [Opty 165 1.88 ghz] [Thermalright XP90] [2 gb OCZ Platinum DDR400] [Soundblaster X-FI Xtreme Music] [8600GT Stock] [Windows Vista Home Premium sp1] Server: [Rocketfish Tower] [c2d E6600][Scythe Ninja Jr] [4 gigs Gskil ddr2 800][ATI X850XT ] [Windows Vista B] Network: Cisco 851W uptime: forever Heatware
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09-26-07, 09:49 AM	#23
toddm27 Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Smyrna, TN	some very nice designs __________________ heatware
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09-26-07, 10:12 AM	#24
firejunior88 Member Join Date: Aug 2007	that is really cool.
	QUOTE Thanks

09-26-07, 12:03 PM	Thread Starter #25
Navig Senior Case Master Join Date: Dec 2003	Aja - It's as sturdy as you want engineer it. As currently engineered with simple screws and 1/2in MDF, you'll probably be able to sit on it. If I were to bolt thru instead of screw, you could probably stand on it, altho the 1/2in MDF might break thru in the middle. If I were to go with 3/4in MDF, you could probably stand and jump on it all day long. Gangaskan - they do make an appearance in the original thread to approximate the size of a radiator. __________________ Navig's list of mod links ~ Vertical Benching Station ~ Brass Tacks ~ Exoframe 2.0 ~ Project Vitis ~ Project Resilience ~ Very Low Cost Benching Station ~ The Exoframe Project ~ Jewel Box Project ~ DIY Benching Station ~ Console Project ~ Project Dark Side ~ Tower PC ~ Dual Tower PC ~ Bench Rig ~ My only standard case
	QUOTE Thanks

10-04-07, 11:42 PM	Thread Starter #27
Navig Senior Case Master Join Date: Dec 2003	Obviously, more details at the original thread, but here's the summary. 1. Make some plates: 2. Make some brackets: 3. Make some stations: __________________ Navig's list of mod links ~ Vertical Benching Station ~ Brass Tacks ~ Exoframe 2.0 ~ Project Vitis ~ Project Resilience ~ Very Low Cost Benching Station ~ The Exoframe Project ~ Jewel Box Project ~ DIY Benching Station ~ Console Project ~ Project Dark Side ~ Tower PC ~ Dual Tower PC ~ Bench Rig ~ My only standard case
	QUOTE Thanks

DIY Low Cost Benching Station

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10-05-07, 10:56 AM	#28
Diggrr Underwater Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Gun Lake, MI. USA	Looks mahvelous. Tell me though, what's all the extra room for? Setting meters and other various equipment up, or is that to set a dually rad/fan/pump? (even though the drawing shows air cooling being used).
	QUOTE Thanks

10-05-07, 06:29 PM	Thread Starter #29
Navig Senior Case Master Join Date: Dec 2003	I originally spec'd 2 versions, one Grande and one Chiquito. The Grande was specifically designed to hold the very large Thermochill PA 120.3 radiator lengthwise (430mm in length). The Chiquito was designed for air cooling or to hold a PA 120.2 rad. However, as the project went on, there didn't seem to be any interest in the smaller version. Anyway, one quick trip to the table saw, and a Grande can be converted into a Chiquito. navig __________________ Navig's list of mod links ~ Vertical Benching Station ~ Brass Tacks ~ Exoframe 2.0 ~ Project Vitis ~ Project Resilience ~ Very Low Cost Benching Station ~ The Exoframe Project ~ Jewel Box Project ~ DIY Benching Station ~ Console Project ~ Project Dark Side ~ Tower PC ~ Dual Tower PC ~ Bench Rig ~ My only standard case
	QUOTE Thanks

10-06-07, 12:06 AM	#30
Diggrr Underwater Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Gun Lake, MI. USA	Chiquito's....that's what Da Yoopers (band from Michigan's Upper Peninsula) call their ginormous mosquitoes. Nice work though. I've been busy at the table saw for weeks, all the time wishing I had a nice router too. Rock on!
	QUOTE Thanks

10-12-07, 09:01 PM	Thread Starter #31
Navig Senior Case Master Join Date: Dec 2003	The look and feel of plain mdf isn't so appealing. So I've added some trim tape and sealed it with water based polyurethane. Bonus, scratch proof coating. I laid an unfinished piece of scrap board on top for comparison. . __________________ Navig's list of mod links ~ Vertical Benching Station ~ Brass Tacks ~ Exoframe 2.0 ~ Project Vitis ~ Project Resilience ~ Very Low Cost Benching Station ~ The Exoframe Project ~ Jewel Box Project ~ DIY Benching Station ~ Console Project ~ Project Dark Side ~ Tower PC ~ Dual Tower PC ~ Bench Rig ~ My only standard case
	QUOTE Thanks

10-12-07, 10:25 PM	#32
PhysX Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Calgary	very nice
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10-13-07, 04:09 AM	#33
Dapper Dan Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Valley Center, CA	anything navig is amazing ... props __________________ Beastmode Sager NP9285 \| i7-980x @ 3.33Ghz\| 12gb DDR3 1333Mhz \| GTX 285m \| 1920x1200 \|PM800 256GB SSD \| 500GB 7200rpm HDD Heatware
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10-13-07, 04:45 PM	#34
Tyranos Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: NM	ever think about making a quadruple decker for testing 2 systems? __________________ Intel Core i7-2600K, Biostar TP67XE, EVGA GTX 570, 6gb Mushkin Radioactive, Corsair 850TX, Noctua NH-D14, Corsair 800D Heatware
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10-13-07, 10:48 PM	#35
Albaholic Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Oahu, Hawaii	I must build one of these. I always thought about it. Awesome as always Navig __________________ Heat
	QUOTE Thanks

10-16-07, 06:52 PM	Thread Starter #36
Navig Senior Case Master Join Date: Dec 2003	Alright the Lubic prototype is complete...and sold. The buyer wasn't interested in an exhaust fan, so the pci bracket was simplified. navig __________________ Navig's list of mod links ~ Vertical Benching Station ~ Brass Tacks ~ Exoframe 2.0 ~ Project Vitis ~ Project Resilience ~ Very Low Cost Benching Station ~ The Exoframe Project ~ Jewel Box Project ~ DIY Benching Station ~ Console Project ~ Project Dark Side ~ Tower PC ~ Dual Tower PC ~ Bench Rig ~ My only standard case
	QUOTE Thanks

11-07-07, 09:43 PM	Thread Starter #37
Navig Senior Case Master Join Date: Dec 2003	If you haven't been by the original thread, there have been some updates. Lvcoyote installed his system on the station: Pics here. Plus I started a complete walkthru on the build of my finalized design (station#3): Starts with post#56. navig __________________ Navig's list of mod links ~ Vertical Benching Station ~ Brass Tacks ~ Exoframe 2.0 ~ Project Vitis ~ Project Resilience ~ Very Low Cost Benching Station ~ The Exoframe Project ~ Jewel Box Project ~ DIY Benching Station ~ Console Project ~ Project Dark Side ~ Tower PC ~ Dual Tower PC ~ Bench Rig ~ My only standard case
	QUOTE Thanks

11-19-07, 06:51 PM	Thread Starter #38
Navig Senior Case Master Join Date: Dec 2003	Well, I've completed Station#2 and Station#3, completing this project. Station#2 (prototype) is on the left. And the final version (Station#3) is on the right. Here are some pics of Station#3: Both are officially for sale, I'll be putting an ad in the classifieds when I get to it. Here are my take home points from this project: 1) Its pretty easy to make a fully functional (in many ways even more functional than the commercial product) open case with cheap junk from local hardware stores. 2) Its quite inexpensive, but does require some work. 3) At this point, if I had all the raw materials on hand, I could probably build Station#4 in about 3 days of dedicated time. 4) Learned a lot about putting aluminum and MDF together. I think for my next project I'll be building another frame from aluminum and MDF based on my testing station, but will also take the time to add back a plastic shell to build a full case. navig __________________ Navig's list of mod links ~ Vertical Benching Station ~ Brass Tacks ~ Exoframe 2.0 ~ Project Vitis ~ Project Resilience ~ Very Low Cost Benching Station ~ The Exoframe Project ~ Jewel Box Project ~ DIY Benching Station ~ Console Project ~ Project Dark Side ~ Tower PC ~ Dual Tower PC ~ Bench Rig ~ My only standard case
	QUOTE Thanks

11-19-07, 08:12 PM	#39
ps2cho Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Socal, no hella here	That's so awesome man! __________________ Q6600 @ 3.6GHz:.:GA-P35-DS3L:.:4GB DDR2 RAM:.:BFG GTX 260:.:Ultra 120 eXtreme:.:Corsair 520HX X2 3600+ @ 3.1GHz:.:GA-MA78GPM-DS2H:.:1GB DDR2 RAM:.:eVGA 7900GS 256MB:.:Corsair 400CX HTPC: X4 620 0.9v:.:DFI LP JR 790GX:.:2GB DDR2 RAM:.:Asus HD4550 512MB:.:Corsair 450VX:.:32" Vizio 1080p HDTV Laptop: Sony Vaio CW27FX:.:Intel Core i5 @ 2.4GHz:.:GT 330M 512MB:.:4GB DDR3 RAM:.:14" LED AMD CPU List:.:How to HLDS:.:Heatware "The constant assertion of belief is an indication of fear."-Jiddu Krishnamurti
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11-19-07, 11:02 PM	#40
inkfx Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas	That turned out great, Navig. Not like I didn't think it would. Makes me wonder if I have the skill to build something like that and it not turn into a heap. __________________ \| Dell Studio17 Laptop \| \| T9300 @ 2.5Ghz - ATI 3850 - 3GB RAM - Seagate 320GB 7200rpm - 17" (1920x1200) Glossy widescreen \| Windows 7 64-bit \|
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